Shane's Amusement Attic

[Space SalamanderAx Me About Being Axman]

^ Marriott was the company that built both of the Great Americas.

My uncle was part of a construction co. that was hired when Marriott sold the Santa Clara park to Paramount in the 80's.

I still have the Paramount Parks jacket he gave me.

[montezooma"Can I get clamshells out of this ATM?"]

KENNYWOOD
LASER LOOP & STEEL PHANTOM

OK so thanks for getting me started on my Kennywood Laser Loop and Steel Phantom update. Unfortunately it is one of my smaller updates, Kennywood didn't change their brochures from year to year as the other parks did so I will just post the brochures that I do have and also some pictures from Laser Loop and the building of Steel Phantom.

I am not sure why they had to remove Laser Loop to install Steel Phantom, I have heard many rumors from; "it was sinking" ,"the foundation that the flywheel was on was bad and caused the flywheel to spin off balance" and "basically it was just too complicated for that park to keep operating" If anyone can fill me in on the correct reason the Laser Loop had to be removed I would love to hear about it. Anyways on to the old stuff I have on Kennywood.


Updated 4/6/08: added super 8 film footage including POV of Laser Loop
Updated 5/4/08: added super 8 film footage of the Dipper circa 1982

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=ybbRPT3tvKA[/youtube]

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=-FCrBFj5_1s[/youtube]

[RIP PsycloneBanned]

I have seen that video of The Bat before, but for all those who haven't, I'm glad it was posted here. Thanks Robb for not deleting it (and accusing the poster of hijacking this thread, hehe.) The motion of the train seems very "wavelike" compared to the other Arrow suspendeds. And the music...who else liked (or loved) the music during the first part of video? It was so cool! It was scary sounding, then silly late 70s/early 80s, and back to a very epic sounding part during the slow motion segment.

EDIT: ^And does anyone know for sure if those are the trains from The Bat? The fascia seems a little different but could have been modified, I suppose.

[bluea61I Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

Looking at both the pictures I don't think they are the same. The Bat trains look more square, where as the Bat head is higher up on the Vampire.

The new trains are standard Vekoma Swing Trains, Picture Here

[cfcI've gone pantless!]

^Marriott's Great Adventure?????? You mean Great America, right?

Yep--when I was in high school in central California back in the faraway time of the 1970s, everybody just called the place "Marriott's."

[Space SalamanderAx Me About Being Axman]

^ That's all my dad ever called it. Just "Marriot's". I never understud why untill he told me the story about how the Demon came to be.

[eddie200330"Excuse me, miss, may I pound my large rooster into your donkey?"]

Although I am glad they remade the Steel Phantom as it pretty much hurt like hell, I must say I miss the Laser Loop. Standing in line for the Phantom I can't hlp but think that the 2 coasters could exist on the same land. How cool would that be to shoot down through the structure of the lift hill and go up the front spike towards the top of the Phantoms "big" drop!! Going back to the time I was little, (I am now 34) I vaguely remember the kiddy coaster about where the Raging Rapids is today. Anything on that one, RCDB really doesn't have any good shots of it...

[Sticky NickyI own the website www.donkey.com]

I thought Cedar Point was the Coaster Capital of the world. Maybe CP stole the slogan in the '90s.

[OlsorWhat would donkeys be like on the moon?]

^ Before 1991, Cedar Point had a measly, what, 9 coasters?

Great stuff, Shane. I've seen so few Laser Loop pictures. Also nice to see where the ride was compared to where Steel Phantom/Phantom's Revenge is now.

[montezooma"Can I get clamshells out of this ATM?"]

I've seen so few Laser Loop pictures.

Yes, this coaster seems to be "the coaster that time forgot" It is very illusive and tough to find pictures of.

If anyone has anymore pictures of the Laser Loop I would love to see them posted here!

I know there are a bunch of Kennywood fanatics out there, you must have some great shots of this ride....post away!!!